Dana Daurey

Loyal, Caring, and Extreme … Much Like Her “Providence” Alter EgoBy Lori Golden

They look alike, they walk alike… at times they even… No, this isn’t about Patty and Cathy Lane. I’m talking about Dana Daurey, the actress, and Heather Tupperman, the vet assistant she portrays on the TV show Providence.

“Heather, my character, is very sweet and very innocent,” says Dana. “I’m not saying that I’m not, but she’s very different than me. I’m not fussy at all; my character is very fussy. I don’t have a high voice the way she has a high voice. I’m not ditzy, but neither is Heather. She’s not stupid. She’s just very innocent and sweet. I would describe her as being like a 10-year old girl in a 21-year old body.”

What both Heather and Dana do have in common, however, is their love of animals. For Dana, that devotion, especially to dogs, has been there all her life. “I grew up with animals. I had 3 dogs growing up, and they would be in my bed every night, snuggling and kissing. They’re like humans to me.”

Her dogs included a Standard Poodle and a Toy Poodle. And then there was Gebor. “He was the most gorgeous dog besides Tucker, my new dog. He was a mutt, a cross between a Labrador, Beagle and Ridgeback, all in one. He was the love of my life. Gebor was 13 when he died, and I spent about $3000 dollars on his funeral. He’s buried in Calabasas, and it’s just nice to know that he’s resting there.”

These days the love of Dana’s life is Tucker, a Miniature Split-Eye Dachshund-mix she got when he was three months old. “I was working on Providence, and from the beginning the show’s animal trainers, knowing I’m a dog lover, told me to let them know if I ever spotted a dog on the set that I might want. Three years later I saw Tucker on the set. He had a blue eye and a brown eye. I always heard that dogs look like their owners, and since I have blue eyes, I got excited. There he was… just staring at me, and in three minutes he barked at me. Then he played with me, and then he lay on my lap and fell asleep on me… and I just knew right there.”

Tucker was a rescue who was going to be trained to be on the show until he became part of Dana’s life. “He’s just a great, great dog. He’s got a little arm problem - his elbow is incongruent, so it’s too long. He had surgery, but he’s still got a limp, so he’s got his problems. He’s just twelve pounds, and he’s a year old on August 27th. I’m throwing him a little birthday party that’s going to be really exciting.”

Having Tucker has really had a major affect on Dana. “The first thing I experienced was that I came up with new words and the way I say words I had never said before. And I really feel like a mother. I feel very responsible for everything that’s going on with him. I’m extreme with everything I do. The way I prepare for an audition, and now the way I take care of Tucker. I buy him different types of toys and treats every day, and I take him to doggy day care 3-4 times a week. I’m spending a fortune! I bought him a doggy chair for the car seat so… ok… the car seat has “Tucker” on it. He’s never, ever alone. I keep Animal Planet on for him every time I leave. Like I said, I’m extreme in every part of my life. If I take something on, it’s to another level.”

Being on Providence has also had a major impact on Dana. Like when she was asked to present a Genesis Award this past year honoring the “Gobble, Gobble” Thanksgiving episode of her show. “I was so grateful that I was asked to be a presenter. Then when I was there, and I saw what it was really all about, I was even more grateful. I was blown away by those people and what they represent. I loved being a part of that. I want to be a part of The Genesis Awards for as long as I can.”

Dana’s TV fame is also allowing her to lend her voice in support of animal rescue. “Now I can actually speak up and help people. Just because I’m on a television series. It blows my mind, so I like to do everything I can to try to promote rescue animals.”

This past May Dana and Tucker were invited to participate in the Best Friends “Cinco De Meow” event in Pacific Palisades. It was there that she met Joy Nadel, who has a small non-profit organization called Rescue Me Inc. “We got along immediately,” says Dana. “Once again, I’m just blown away by what she does… rescuing animals and trying to find them homes. I wish I could not be so selfish and drop everything I do so I could do that as well.”

One thing led to another and Dana is now on the Board of Trustees of Rescue Me, Inc. She attends their weekly adoptions in the West Valley when she has time and plans to get more involved in the future. She’s also going to be part of their fundraising dinner on September 22nd at the Secret Garden Restaurant in Moorpark. (See Events Calendar on p.38 for details.) “Its purpose is to help bring awareness about this wonderful organization, as well as to raise funds to build their non-profit, donation-only hospital and no-kill sanctuary.”

“People just need to realize there are a lot of animals out there that need homes. Just open your eyes and realize it’s not about you. Well, it IS about you, but it’s about you helping other people, and that way it’s more of a satisfaction in life. There’s nothing better than knowing that you saved an animal’s life… and that you are loving an animal unconditionally. And that he or she loves you unconditionally. I know that I could have a horrible day, but when I come home and see my dog’s face, the whole day is bright again.”

(Dana Daurey’s voice can be heard in an upcoming cartoon series called Psycho Ferret that will possibly air on Nickelodeon. She also recently appeared on stage in a play called West of Brooklyn that she is hoping will re-open in a new venue. And coming this fall, she can be seen as the loveable Heather Tupperman on NBC’s Providence, airing Friday nights at 8:00pm.)

(Rescue Me Inc. is desperately in need of foster families and volunteers. And one of their greatest wishes is for the donation of a van or SUV for their rescue animals. For more info visit their website at www.rescuemeinc.org or call Joy at 818-999-2400.)

August, 2002

First published in August of 1999, The Pet Press has become THE only local resource forpet lovers in the Los Angeles area. The mission of The Pet Press is three-fold: